James Holmes, Colorado shooting suspect makes first court appearance

Andy Radia

Daily BrewJuly 23, 2012

Suspected Colorado shooter James Holmes had a date with a judge Monday morning, giving the public a first look at the the man suspected of killing 12 people and shooting 70 others at a midnight showing of the Dark Knight Rises premiere last week.

Holmes was wearing a red jumpsuit with his hair dyed orange-red and was seated next to his public defender. He appeared sedated, making bizarre movements with his eyes and forehead throughout the duration of the 15 minute hearing.

The judge said there will "clearly" be no bail for someone accused of such a serious crime.

He ordered charges to be formally filed on Monday July 30.

In a post-hearing press conference, Carol Chambers, Arapahoe County District Attorney, said she had "no information" on Holmes's confusing demeanor inside the courtroom.

She did say that the decision about whether or not to press for the death penalty will be made in consultation with the victims' families and may not be made for months.

Earlier in the day, authorities indicated that Holmes was refusing to cooperate and that it could take months to learn what prompted the horrific attack.

While he's not talking, details about his life emerged over the weekend.

Raised in San Diego, Holmes played on his high school soccer team and went on to become an honour student at the University of California Riverside, where in 2010 he got a degree in neuroscience.

Last year, he began a doctoral program in neuroscience at the University of Colorado Denver, but he was in the process of withdrawing from the program.

In the summer of 2008, Holmes worked as a counsellor at Camp Max Straus, which offers activities such as horse riding for underprivileged children.

According to Fox News, Holmes attempted to join a private gun range, the $250 Lead Valley Range, in Byers, Colorado.

Glenn Rotkovich, the owner, called to invite him for an orientation and got through to a "bizarre" voicemail message. "Looking back, and if I'd seen the movies, maybe I'd say it was like the Joker," Rotkovich said.